Printing system, mobile terminal, and control method

ABSTRACT

A printing system includes a printing apparatus that stores print data and a mobile terminal. The printing system determines whether or not the mobile terminal and the printing apparatus are in a closer state to each other than a predetermined distance, based on field intensity of a packet. The printing system sets whether to perform printing triggered by the closer state, based on a user operation, and controls the mobile terminal to transmit information to the printing apparatus, if certain conditions are met. The printing system controls the mobile terminal to not transmit information to the printing apparatus even if it is determined that the mobile terminal and the printing apparatus are in the closer state, and controls the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the print data stored in the printing apparatus in a case when the printing apparatus receives the transmitted information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system, a mobile terminal,and a control method.

Description of the Related Art

In the case where a user uses a host computer to transmit printing datato a network-connected printing apparatus for printing, if the distancefrom the user's position to the printing apparatus is long, a longamount of time is needed to acquire the printed document. For thisreason, there are cases where another user mistakenly retrieves theprinted document, or the content of the printed document is viewed byanother user.

In view of this, when printing information that the user does not wantother people to see, such as confidential information, there are caseswhere the user uses a function called locked printing (secure printing).In secure printing, print data is transmitted from the host computer tothe printing apparatus, but after receiving the print data, the printingapparatus stores it rather than printing it immediately. The user thengoes to the location of the printing apparatus and performs userauthentication via an operation panel on the printing apparatus,whereafter it is first possible to print the stored print data that theuser transmitted. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-298090discloses a technique for realizing secure printing by userauthentication performed via an operation panel.

The Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard has been extended inrecent years, and the Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter, called “BLE”)communication standard has been developed and begun to be implemented inmobile terminals and the like. Features of BLE include the ability toperform low-power communication and the ability to measure the distancebetween devices.

In conventional secure printing, the user needs to first move to thelocation of the printing apparatus and perform an operation on theoperation panel such as inputting their password or scanning an IC cardor the like. Also, since the user cannot execute printing unless theymove to the location of the printing apparatus, even in the case ofprinting one page, the user needs to first go to the location of theprinting apparatus and then wait until the document can be acquired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentionedproblems with the conventional technology.

The present invention provides a technique for shortening the amount oftime needed for printing completion by causing printing to start when auser holding a portable terminal merely approaches a printing apparatus.

The present invention in one aspect provides a printing system having aprinting apparatus, a server, and a mobile terminal, the printingapparatus comprising a first transmission unit configured to transmit apacket, the server comprising a storage unit configured to store printdata, and the mobile terminal comprising: a reception unit configured toreceive the packet transmitted by the first transmission unit; aspecification unit configured to specify a distance between the mobileterminal and the printing apparatus based on the packet received by thereception unit; a first determination unit configured to determinewhether or not the distance specified by the specification unitsatisfies a predetermined condition; and a second transmission unitconfigured to, in a case where the first determination unit determinesthat the distance specified by the specification unit satisfies thepredetermined condition, transmit a print instruction for the print datato the server, wherein in a case where the server receives the printinstruction, the server transmits the print data to the printingapparatus.

According to the present invention, printing is started when a userholding a portable terminal merely approaches the printing apparatus,thus shortening the amount of time needed for printing completion.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal(portable terminal).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printingapparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server PC.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printingsystem that includes a mobile terminal, a printing apparatus, a serverPC, and a host computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by a mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure performed by a controlunit of the server PC.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of print job datatransmitted from the host computer to the server PC.

FIG. 8 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure performed by a printercontrol unit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a print mode setting screen displayed on atouch panel of the mobile terminal, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing asetting screen for setting “ON/OFF” of an “auto print upon approachfunction” displayed on an operation panel of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 12 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the control unit of the server PC.

FIG. 13 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 14 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the printer control unit of the printing apparatus.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing a procedure of controlprocessing performed by the mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 16 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the control unit of the server PC.

FIG. 17 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the printer control unit of the printing apparatus.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are flowcharts showing a procedure of controlprocessing performed by the mobile control unit of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 19 is another flowchart showing a procedure of control processingperformed by the printer control unit of the printing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedhereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended tolimit the claims of the present invention, and that not all of thecombinations of the aspects that are described according to thefollowing embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the meansto solve the problems according to the present invention. Likeconstituent elements are denoted by like reference signs, anddescriptions will not be given for them.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for describing the configuration of a mobileterminal (portable terminal) 100 according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

The mobile terminal 100 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or atablet PC. This mobile terminal 100 is controlled by a mobile controlunit 120. A CPU 201 of the mobile control unit 120 executes varioustypes of application programs such as an email client and a web browser,which are stored in a program ROM of a ROM 103, and controls operationsof the mobile terminal 100. Note that print control processing shown inthe flowchart of FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment is also storedas a program in the ROM 103 and executed by the CPU 101. The CPU 101also performs overall control of devices connected to a system bus 104.A RAM 102 functions as a main memory, a work memory, and the like forthe CPU 101. A touch panel controller (TPC) 105 performs controlregarding the display of screens on a touch panel 109 and touchoperations. A 3G network controller (3GC) 106 controls a 3G networkmodule 110 to enable communication over a phone network. Here, the phonecommunication system is not limited to a 3G network, and anothercommunication system such as a 4G network may be used. A wireless LANcontroller (WLANC) 107 controls a wireless LAN module 111 to realizewireless LAN communication, which is typified by WiFi. A BLE (BluetoothLow Energy) controller (BLEC) 108 controls a BLE module 112 to enableBLE communication. The devices described above are connected to thesystem bus 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for describing the configuration of a printingapparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

The printing apparatus 200 is an electrophotographic or inkjet printer,or the like. This printing apparatus 200 is controlled by a printercontrol unit 210. A CPU 201 of the printer control unit 210 performsoverall control of access to various types of devices connected to asystem bus 204 based on a control program or the like stored in aprogram ROM of a ROM 203. The CPU 201 outputs an image signal as outputinformation to a print mechanism unit (printer engine) 220 connected viaa print unit interface 205. Also, functions for executing print controland periodic BLE advertise packet transmission processing according tothe first embodiment are also stored as programs in the ROM 203 andexecuted by the CPU 201. Moreover, print control logic shown in theflowchart of FIG. 9 according to the first embodiment is also stored asa program in the ROM 203 and executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 202functions as a main memory, work memory, and the like for the CPU 201,and the memory capacity can be extended by an optional RAM connected toan extension port (not shown). Note that the RAM 202 is used as arendering memory for storing image data received from a host computer, avideo signal ON/OFF information storage region, other work regions, andthe like. An operation panel 221 includes keys for instructing theexecution of various types of functions, a display unit for simpledisplay of the status of the printing apparatus 200, and an LED or thelike. A memory controller (MC) 206 controls access to a nonvolatilememory such as a hard disk (HDD) 222 that stores print data receivedfrom the host computer and the like. A network controller (NETWC) 207controls a network communication module 223 to enable communication, viaa network, with various types of devices connected to the network. Also,a BLE controller (BLEC) 208 controls a BLE module 224 to enable BLEcommunication (near field communication). The devices described aboveare connected to the system bus 204.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for describing the configuration of a serverPC 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The server PC 300 includes a server PC control unit 310 that controlsthe operations thereof. A CPU 301 of the server PC control unit 310executes document processing on documents that include a mixture ofgraphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets etc.) andthe like based on a document processing program or the like stored in aprogram ROM of a ROM 303. The CPU 301 performs overall control ofdevices connected to a system bus 304. Also, a control program and thelike executed by the CPU 301 are stored in the program ROM of the ROM303, and font data and the like used when performing the documentprocessing are stored in a font ROM of the ROM 303. Moreover, varioustypes of data used when performing the document processing are stored ina data ROM of the ROM 303.

A RAM 302 provides a main memory, a work memory, and the like for theCPU 301, and is used for temporary storage of various types of data. Akeyboard controller (KBC) 305 controls key input from a keyboard 311 ora pointing device (not shown). A display control unit 306 controlsdisplays shown on a display unit 312. A memory controller (MC) 307controls access to an external memory 313 such as a hard disk (HD) or afloppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) that stores a boot program,various types of applications, font data, user files, editing files, andthe like. The external memory 313 also stores a program such as thatshown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the first embodiment. Anetwork controller (NETWC) 308 controls a network communication module314 to execute communication control processing for communication withother devices via a network. Note that the CPU 301 executes processingfor deploying (rasterizing) an outline font to a display RAM set in theRAM 302, for example, to enable WYSIWYG on the display unit 312. The CPU301 also opens various registered windows based on commands given usinga mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the screen of the display unit312, and executes various types of data processing.

Note that a host computer used by a user to execute an application andinstruct printing has a configuration similar to that of the server PC300, and thus a description of the configuration will be omitted.

The following describes operations in the printing system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the overall configuration of theprinting system that includes the mobile terminal 100, the printingapparatus 200, the server PC 300, and a host computer 400 according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 4 also shows a software configuration for locked printing (secureprinting) that employs BLE communication in the CPU 101 of the mobileterminal 100, the CPU 201 of the printing apparatus 200, and the CPU 301of the server PC 300. Note that portions that are the same asconfigurations in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference signs,and descriptions will not be given for them. Next, the first embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 4.

When the host computer 400 is operated by the user, print data istransmitted from the host computer 400 to the server PC 300 via anetwork 600. Specifically, the user executes an application for documentprocessing or the like on the host computer 400 to designate the targetprinting apparatus 200 and mobile terminal information regarding theuser's mobile terminal and instruct the printing of created data. Whenprinting is instructed from the application in this way, a printerdriver installed in the host computer 400 converts the data into pagedescription language data or bitmap data and generates print job datasuch as that shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the printer driver alsogenerates identification information regarding the mobile terminal 100and identification information regarding the target printing apparatus200, and transmits the print job data, which is a collection of thethree pieces of data above, to the server PC 300.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing the configuration of print job datatransmitted from the host computer 400 to the server PC 300 according tothe first embodiment.

This print job data includes print data 701 that includes pagedescription language data, bitmap data, or the like, as well as mobileterminal information 702 that is identification information regardingthe mobile terminal 100, and identification information 703 regardingthe printing apparatus 200.

The server PC 300 receives the print job data transmitted from the hostcomputer 400 via the network 600, and passes the print job data to theserver PC control unit 310 via the network communication module 314 andthe network controller (NETWC) 308. The server PC control unit 310 thenanalyzes the print job data. If the print job data includes the mobileterminal information 702, it is determined that secure printing has beeninstructed, and the printing of the print data is put on hold and theprint data is maintained in a stored state until a print instruction isreceived from the mobile terminal 100 designated in the print job data.Note that a specific secure printing control procedure performed by theserver PC 300 will be described later with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 6.

Next, the printing apparatus 200 will be described.

The printing apparatus 200 is connected to the network 600 and passesthe print data transmitted from the server PC 300 to the printer controlunit 210 via the network communication module 223 and the networkcontroller (NETWC) 207 of the printing apparatus 200. The printercontrol unit 210 controls the print mechanism unit 220 to output theprint data as a video signal and execute printing. A BLE communicationcontrol unit 260 generates a BLE advertise packet that includes anoutput field intensity value necessary for the mobile terminal 100 toacquire the distance to the printing apparatus 200. The BLEcommunication control unit 260 transmits the BLE advertise packet viathe BLE controller (BLEC) 208 and the BLE module 224 at a constant timeinterval. There are no particular limitations on the interval of thetransmission of the BLE advertise packet, and it may be any value.

Next, the mobile terminal 100 will be described.

In order to be connected to the network by a wireless LAN, the mobileterminal 100 is connected to the network 600 via a wireless LAN accesspoint 500. Upon determining that the printing apparatus 200 is closerthan a predetermined distance, the mobile control unit 120 instructs theserver PC 300 to transmit the print data held by the server PC 300 tothe printing apparatus 200. Note that the control procedure performed bythe mobile control unit 120 according to the first embodiment will bedescribed later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

Note that although the printing apparatus 200, the server PC 300, andthe host computer 400 are connected to the network 600 that is a wiredLAN in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited inthis way, and another connection method such as a wireless LAN may beused.

Next, the control procedure performed by the mobile terminal 100according to the first embodiment will be described with reference tothe flowchart of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a procedure of control processingperformed by the mobile control unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100according to the first embodiment. A program for executing thisprocessing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 103, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executingthe stored program.

First, in step S501, the CPU 101 waits until data regarding a print job(print job data) for performing secure printing is received from theserver PC 300. Specifically, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of anotification indicating that secure printing according to the firstembodiment was instructed, and identification information regarding thetarget printing apparatus 200 that is to execute printing. When printjob data for performing secure printing is received in step S501, theprocedure proceeds to step S502, in which the CPU 101 holds the receivedidentification information regarding the target printing apparatus inthe RAM 102. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S503, in which the CPU101 waits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet. When a BLEadvertise packet is received in step S503, the procedure proceeds tostep S504, in which the CPU 101 determines whether or not the receivedBLE advertise packet was transmitted from the target printing apparatusindicated by the printing apparatus identification information that wasstored in step S502. If it is determined in step S504 that the receivedBLE advertise packet was not transmitted from the target printingapparatus, the procedure returns to step S503, and the CPU 101 againwaits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet.

On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S504 that thereceived BLE advertise packet was transmitted from the target printingapparatus, the procedure proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the CPU101 obtains the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the targetprinting apparatus 200 based on an output field intensity value includedin the BLE advertise packet. The procedure then proceeds to step S506,in which the CPU 101 determines whether or not the obtained distance isshorter than a predetermined distance, that is to say, whether or notthe user in possession of the mobile terminal 100 has moved to aposition within a predetermined distance range from the printingapparatus 200. Here, if the CPU 101 determines that the user has notmoved to a position closer than the predetermined distance, theprocedure returns to step S503, and the CPU 101 again waits for thereception of a BLE advertise packet. On the other hand, if the CPU 101determines in step S506 that the user has moved to a position closerthan the predetermined distance to the target printing apparatus 200,the procedure proceeds to step S507, in which the CPU 101 issues, to theserver PC 300, a print instruction for starting the printing of theprint data being held, and then ends this processing.

In this way, by the user holding the mobile terminal 100 merelyapproaching the target printing apparatus 200 that is to be used forprinting, a print instruction is automatically issued from the mobileterminal 100 to the server PC 300 holding the print data. Accordingly,it is possible to shorten the amount of time required for printing tobegin compared to the case where the user needs to first arrive at thelocation of the printing apparatus 200 and then operate the printingapparatus to instruct the start of printing. Although it depends on theamount of print data, there is a higher possibility of the desiredprinting being completed by the time the user arrives at the location ofthe printing apparatus 200, and there is also an effect of being able toreduce the amount of time spent waiting for printing.

Next, the processing procedure performed by the server PC 300 accordingto the first embodiment will be described with reference to theflowchart of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe server PC control unit 310 of the server PC 300 according to thefirst embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored inthe program ROM of the ROM 303, and the processing shown in thisflowchart is realized by the CPU 301 executing the stored program.

First, in step S601, the CPU 301 waits for the reception of print jobdata (e.g., see FIG. 7) from the host computer 400. When print job datais received, the procedure proceeds to step S602, in which the CPU 301extracts the print data 701, the mobile terminal information 702, andthe printing apparatus identification information 703 from the print jobdata, and stores these information pieces in the RAM 302. Next, theprocedure proceeds to step S603, in which the CPU 301 transmits, to themobile terminal 100 indicated by the mobile terminal information 702that was stored in the RAM 302 in step S602, a secure printingnotification and identification information regarding the targetprinting apparatus 200 that is to be used for printing. Next, theprocedure proceeds to step S604, in which the CPU 301 waits for thereception of a print instruction from the mobile terminal 100 indicatedby the mobile terminal information 702 that was stored in the RAM 302 instep S602. When the print instruction is received in step S604, theprocedure proceeds to step S605, in which the CPU 301 transmits theprint data 701 held in the RAM 302 to the target printing apparatus 200indicated by the printing apparatus identification information 703 forprinting. Note that here, there are no particular limitations on thedistance setting that is the condition for issuing the printinstruction, and any value may be used. For example, the user may beable to, via a screen in the printer driver of the host computer 400,set the distance (e.g., 10 m) up to which the mobile terminal 100 heldby the user needs to approach the target printing apparatus in order toissue the print instruction.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user uses thehost computer 400 to designate the target printing apparatus that is tobe used for printing, and to instruct secure printing. The user can thencause that printing to be executed by merely holding the mobile terminaland approaching the target printing apparatus. Accordingly, the user cancause printing to be executed without performing a user authenticationoperation on the printing apparatus. Also, printing by the printingapparatus is started during the user's approach to the printingapparatus, thus having an effect of making it possible to shorten theamount of time spent waiting for printing completion.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, the host computer 400 transmitsprint job data for printing in secure printing to the printing apparatus200 via the server PC 300. In contrast, in a second embodiment, the hostcomputer 400 directly transmits print job data to the printing apparatus200, and the printing apparatus 200 stores the data. The followingdescribes an example in which the execution of the stored print job isstarted by a print instruction from the mobile terminal 100 held by theuser. Note that the configuration of the printing system according tothe second embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 4, butis different in that the server PC 300 is not necessary. Anotherdifference from the first embodiment described above is that the hostcomputer 400 of the second embodiment transmits print job data to theprinting apparatus 200, and transmits identification informationregarding the target printing apparatus that is to perform printing tothe mobile terminal 100. Note that the identification informationregarding the target printing apparatus that is to perform printing maybe transmitted to the mobile terminal 100 by either the host computer400 or the printing apparatus.

The following describes control procedures performed by the mobilecontrol unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100 and the printer control unit210 of the printing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a procedure of control processingperformed by the mobile control unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100according to the second embodiment. A program for executing thisprocessing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 103, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executingthe stored program.

First, in step S801, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of print jobdata that includes a secure printing notification and identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus to be used forprinting, from the host computer 400. When the CPU 101 receives theprint job data in step S801, the procedure proceeds to step S802, inwhich the CPU 101 stores the identification information regarding thetarget printing apparatus in the RAM 102. The processing of thesubsequent steps S803 to S806 is the same as the above-describedprocessing of steps S503 to S506 in FIG. 5, and therefore will not bedescribed here.

If the CPU 101 determines in step S806 that the distance to the targetprinting apparatus 200 is less than the predetermined distance, theprocedure proceeds to step S807, in which the CPU 101 issues a printinstruction to the target printing apparatus 200.

In this way, in the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 200directly receives the print job data from the host computer 400 andholds it, and therefore the mobile terminal 100 issues the printinstruction to the printing apparatus 200.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe printer control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 100 according tothe second embodiment. Note that a program for executing this processingis stored in the program ROM of the ROM 203, and the processing shown inthis flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading out and executing thestored program.

First, in step S901, the CPU 201 waits for the reception of print jobdata instructing secure printing from the host computer 400. When theprint job data is received, the procedure proceeds to step S902, inwhich the CPU 201 stores the received print job data in the RAM 202.Next, the procedure proceeds to step S903, in which the CPU 201 waitsfor an instruction to execute the stored print job to be issued from themobile terminal 100. When the print instruction is received, theprocedure proceeds to step S904, in which the CPU 201 executes printingaccording to the print data in the stored print job data.

Note that the host computer 400 transmits printing apparatusidentification information to the mobile terminal 100 in the exampledescribed above. However, in the case where the printing apparatus 200transmits printing apparatus identification information to the mobileterminal 100, it is sufficient that in step S902, the CPU 201 transmitsthe printing apparatus identification information 703 included in theprint job data to the mobile terminal that corresponds to the mobileterminal information 702.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, secure printingequivalent to that in the first embodiment can be realized even if printjob data is directly received by the printing apparatus 200 and heldrather than be held in the server PC 300. In other words, similarly tothe first embodiment described above, the user uses the host computer400 to designate the target printing apparatus that is to performprinting, and to give a secure printing instruction. The user can thencause that printing to be executed by merely holding the mobile terminaland approaching the target printing apparatus. Also, printing by theprinting apparatus is started during the user's approach to the printingapparatus, thus having an effect of making it possible to shorten theamount of time spent waiting for printing completion.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, secure printing is executedunconditionally. In contrast, a third embodiment of the presentinvention describes an example in which “ON” or “OFF” can be selectedfor secure printing via a setting screen on the mobile terminal 100.Note that the configuration of the printing system according to thethird embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodimentdescribed above, and therefore will not be described here.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a print mode setting screendisplayed on the touch panel 109 of the mobile terminal 100 according tothe third embodiment.

Here, the user can select, via this setting screen, whether or not touse the secure printing function. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, “ON”is selected, which instructs the use of the secure printing function.

The following describes a control procedure performed by the mobilecontrol unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100 according to the thirdembodiment with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing control processing performed bythe mobile control unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100 according to thethird embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored inthe program ROM of the ROM 103, and the processing shown in thisflowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executing the stored program.

First, in step S1101, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a printinstruction and identification information regarding the target printingapparatus to be used for printing, from the server PC 300. When the CPU101 receives the identification information regarding the targetprinting apparatus in step S1201, the procedure proceeds to step S1102,in which the CPU 101 stores the received identification informationregarding the target printing apparatus in the RAM 102. Next, theprocedure proceeds to step S1103, in which the CPU 101 acquires thesecure printing setting that was made via the print mode setting screenin FIG. 10A, and transmits the setting to the server PC 300.

Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1104, in which the CPU 101determines whether “ON” has been set for secure printing in the screenshown in FIG. 10A, and if “ON” has not been set, that is to say if “OFF”has been set, the CPU 101 ends this processing without performinganything. Note that in this case, the server PC 300 determines in stepS1205 of FIG. 12 that “OFF” has been set for secure printing, andimmediately transmits the held print data to the printing apparatus 200for printing.

On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S1104 that “ON” hasbeen set for secure printing, the procedure proceeds to step S1105, inwhich the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet.When a BLE advertise packet is received in step S1105, the procedureproceeds to step S1106, in which the CPU 101 determines whether or notthe printing apparatus identification information included in thereceived BLE advertise packet matches the identification informationregarding the target printing apparatus. If the included printingapparatus identification information does not match the identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus, the procedureproceeds to step S1105, in which the CPU 101 again waits for thereception of a BLE advertise packet. However, if the CPU 101 determinesin step S1106 that the BLE advertise packet is a packet received fromthe target printing apparatus, the procedure proceeds to step S1107. Instep S1107, the CPU 101 obtains the distance to the target printingapparatus based on the output field intensity value included in theadvertise packet. The procedure then proceeds to step S1108, in whichthe CPU 101 determines whether or not the distance to the targetprinting apparatus 200, which was acquired in step S1107, is shorterthan the predetermined distance, that is to say, whether or not the userhas moved to a position closer than the predetermined distance to thetarget printing apparatus 200. If it is determined in step S1108 thatthe distance to the target printing apparatus is the predetermineddistance or more, the procedure returns to step S1105, and the CPU 101again waits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet. However, if itis determined that the distance to the target printing apparatus 200 isless than the predetermined distance, the procedure proceeds to stepS1109, in which the CPU 101 issues, to the server PC 300, a printinstruction for executing printing using the held print data.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, by making itpossible to use the mobile terminal 100 to select whether or not secureprinting is to be executed, it is possible to select whether to executesecure printing or immediately execute printing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing control processing performed bythe server PC control unit 310 of the server PC 300 according to thethird embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored inthe program ROM of the ROM 303, and the processing shown in thisflowchart is realized by the CPU 301 executing the stored program.

First, in step S1201, the CPU 301 waits for the reception of print jobdata (e.g., see FIG. 7) from the host computer 400. When the print jobdata is received, the procedure proceeds to step S1202, in which the CPU301 extracts the print data 701, the mobile terminal information 702,and the printing apparatus identification information 703 from the printjob data, and stores these information pieces in the RAM 302. Next, theprocedure proceeds to step S1203, in which the CPU 301 transmits, to themobile terminal 100 that corresponds to the held mobile terminalinformation 702, a print execution notification and identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus to be used forprinting. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1204, in which the CPU301 waits for the reception of a secure printing setting value (ON/OFF)from the mobile terminal 100. When this setting value is received, theprocedure proceeds to step S1205, in which the CPU 301 determineswhether or not the secure printing setting is “ON”. Here, if it isdetermined that the secure printing setting is not “ON”, that is to say,secure printing is not to be performed, the procedure proceeds to stepS1207, in which the CPU 301 transmits the print data held in the serverPC 300 to the target printing apparatus and causes the target printingapparatus to execute printing, and then ends this processing.

However, if the CPU 301 determines in step S1205 that the secureprinting setting value is “ON”, the procedure proceeds to step S1206, inwhich the CPU 301 waits for the reception of a print data transmissioninstruction from the mobile terminal 100 that corresponds to the mobileterminal information 702. Then, when the print data transmissioninstruction is received from the mobile terminal 100 in step S1206, theprocedure proceeds to step S1207, in which the CPU 301 transmits theprint data held in the server PC 300 to the target printing apparatusand causes the target printing apparatus to execute printing.

Note that in this case, the printing apparatus 100 executes printprocessing that is based on the print data received from the server PC300.

Next, as a variation of third embodiment, the following describes anexample in which in the case of transmitting print job data from thehost computer 400 to the printing apparatus 200 and then performingprinting, it is possible to select “ON” or “OFF” for secure printing viaa setting screen on the mobile terminal 100 as described above.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe mobile control unit 120 of the mobile terminal 100 according to thisvariation of the third embodiment. A program for executing thisprocessing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 103, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executingthe stored program. In this case as well, the above-described systemconfiguration and the like are the same as that in the first embodimentdescribed above, and therefore will not be described here.

First, in step S1301, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a printnotification and identification information regarding the targetprinting apparatus 200 that is to execute printing from the hostcomputer 400 or the printing apparatus 200. When these data pieces arereceived, the procedure proceeds to step S1302, in which the CPU 101stores the identification information regarding the target printingapparatus, which is included in the received data, in the RAM 102. Next,the procedure proceeds to step S1303, in which the CPU 101 acquires thesecure printing setting value that was set via the print mode settingscreen in FIG. 10A, and transmits the setting to the printing apparatus200. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1304, in which the CPU 101checks the secure printing setting value that was acquired in stepS1203, and if “OFF” has been set for secure printing, the procedureproceeds to step S1309, in which the CPU 101 issues a print instructionto the printing apparatus 200 to start printing.

However, if it is determined in step S1304 that “ON” has been set forsecure printing, the procedure proceeds to step S1305, in which the CPU101 waits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet. When the CPU 101receives a BLE advertise packet in step S1305, the procedure proceeds tostep S1306. In step S1306, the CPU 101 determines whether or not thereceived BLE advertise packet includes identification informationregarding the target printing apparatus, that is to say, whether or notthe BLE advertise packet was transmitted from the target printingapparatus 200. If the BLE advertise packet was not transmitted from thetarget printing apparatus, the procedure returns to step S1305, and theCPU 101 again waits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet.

However, if the CPU 101 determines in step S1306 that the received BLEadvertise packet was transmitted from the target printing apparatus 200,the procedure proceeds to step S1307. In step S1307, the CPU 101 obtainsthe distance to the target printing apparatus based on the output fieldintensity value included in the advertise packet. Next, the procedureproceeds to step S1308, in which the CPU 101 determines whether or notthe distance to the target printing apparatus is shorter than thepredetermined distance, that is to say, whether or not the user holdingthe mobile terminal 100 has moved to a position closer than thepredetermined distance to the target printing apparatus. If it isdetermined that the distance to the target printing apparatus is greaterthan or equal to the predetermined distance, the procedure returns tothe step S1305, and the CPU 101 again waits for the reception of a BLEadvertise packet. However, if it is determined that the distance betweenthe user and the target printing apparatus is less than thepredetermined distance, the procedure proceeds to step S1309, in whichthe CPU 101 issues a print instruction for executing printing using theheld print data to the printing apparatus 200, and then ends thisprocessing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe printer control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200 according tothis variation of the third embodiment. A program for executing thisprocessing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 203, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 executingthe stored program. In this case as well, the above-described systemconfiguration and the like are the same as that in the first embodimentdescribed above, and therefore will not be described here.

First, in step S1401, the CPU 201 waits for the reception of print jobdata from the host computer 400, and when print job data is received,the procedure proceeds to step S1402, in which the CPU 201 holds thereceived print job data in the RAM 202. Next, the procedure proceeds tostep S1403, in which the CPU 201 transmits identification informationregarding itself (the printing apparatus 200) to the mobile terminal 100that corresponds to the mobile terminal information 702 included in theprint job data. The procedure then proceeds to step S1404, in which theCPU 201 waits for the reception of the secure printing setting that wasmade using the mobile terminal 100 from the mobile terminal 100, anddetermines in step S1405 whether or not the setting is “ON”. If thesecure printing setting is “ON”, the procedure proceeds to step S1406,and otherwise the procedure proceeds to step S1407, in which printing isexecuted in accordance with the print data that was stored in stepS1402.

However, if the secure printing setting is “ON” in step S1405, theprocedure proceeds to step S1406, in which the CPU 201 waits for thereception of a print instruction from the mobile terminal 100. When theprint instruction is received, the procedure proceeds to step S1407, inwhich printing is executed in accordance with the print data that wasstored in step S1402.

In this way, according to the third embodiment, printing can be realizedin both the case where the printing apparatus 200 receives print datafrom the server PC 300, and the case where it receives print datadirectly from the host computer 400.

Note that in this case, the mobile terminal 100 may acquireidentification information regarding the printing apparatus 200 that isbe used for printing from either the host computer 400 or the printingapparatus 200.

Fourth Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 can select “ON/OFF” forthe execution of secure printing. In contrast, a fourth embodimentdescribes the case in which the printing apparatus 200 can furthermoreselect the secure printing execution method (auto print upon approach,or print after user authentication using the operation panel 221).

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for secureprinting in the printing apparatus 200 according to the fourthembodiment.

Here, the user can set the secure printing execution method (auto printupon approach, or print after user authentication using the operationpanel 221). In the example shown in FIG. 10B, “ON” (enabled) has beenset for the auto print upon approach function. Accordingly, in thiscase, the user can execute desired printing by merely approaching theprinting apparatus 200 while holding the mobile terminal 100. However,if “OFF” has been set for the auto print upon approach function, theuser inputs their user ID and password using the operation panel 221 ofthe printing apparatus 200 to perform user authentication, and printingby the printing apparatus 200 is possible only if the authentication issuccessful. Note that the configuration of the printing system accordingto the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the firstembodiment described above, and therefore will not be described here.

The following describes control performed by the mobile control unit 120of the mobile terminal 100, the server PC control unit 310 of the serverPC 300, and the printer control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200according to the fourth embodiment with reference to flowcharts.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts for describing a procedure of controlprocessing performed by the mobile control unit 120 of the mobileterminal 100 according to the fourth embodiment. A program for executingthis processing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 103, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executingthe stored program.

First, in step S1501, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a printinstruction from the server PC 300. Specifically, the CPU 101 waits forthe reception of a notification indicating that the execution ofprinting was instructed, and identification information regarding thetarget printing apparatus 200 that is to execute printing. When thisdata is received, the procedure proceeds to step S1502, in which the CPU101 stores the received identification information regarding the targetprinting apparatus in the RAM 102. Next, the procedure proceeds to stepS1503, in which the CPU 101 acquires the secure printing setting valuethat was set via the setting screen in FIG. 10A, and transmits thesetting to the server PC 300. Next, the procedure proceeds to stepS1504, in which the CPU 101 checks the secure printing setting valuethat was acquired in step S1503, and if “OFF” has been set for secureprinting, the procedure proceeds to step S1511, in which the CPU 101issues a print instruction to the server PC 300 to start printing.

However, if it is determined in step S1504 that “ON” has been set forsecure printing, the procedure proceeds to step S1505. In step S1505,the CPU 101 acquires the secure printing execution method (“auto printupon approach function” is ON or OFF) that was set using the settingscreen on the printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 10B, from the serverPC 300. The procedure then proceeds to step S1506, and if the CPU 101determines in this step that the “auto print upon approach function”setting is “OFF”, that is to say, printing is to be executed upon theuser inputting their password using the operation panel 221, theprocedure proceeds to step S1511, in which the CPU 101 issues a printinstruction to the server PC 300, and then ends this processing.

However, if it is determined in step S1506 that the “auto print uponapproach function” has been set to “ON”, the procedure proceeds to stepS1507, in which the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a BLE advertisepacket. When the CPU 101 receives a BLE advertise packet in step S1507,the procedure proceeds to step S1508, in which the CPU 101 determineswhether or not the received BLE advertise packet includes identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus. In other words, itis determined whether or not the BLE advertise packet was transmittedfrom the target printing apparatus 200. If the BLE advertise packet wasnot transmitted from the target printing apparatus, the procedurereturns to step S1507, and the CPU 101 again waits for the reception ofa BLE advertise packet.

However, if the CPU 101 determines in step S1508 that the received BLEadvertise packet was transmitted from the target printing apparatus 200,the procedure proceeds to step S1509. In step S1509, the CPU 101 obtainsthe distance to the target printing apparatus based on the output fieldintensity value included in the advertise packet. Next, the procedureproceeds to step S1510, in which the CPU 101 determines whether or notthe distance to the target printing apparatus is shorter than thepredetermined distance, that is to say, whether or not the user holdingthe mobile terminal 100 has moved to a position closer than thepredetermined distance to the target printing apparatus. If it isdetermined that the distance to the target printing apparatus is greaterthan or equal to the predetermined distance, the procedure returns tothe step S1507, and the CPU 101 again waits for the reception of a BLEadvertise packet. However, if it is determined that the distance betweenthe user and the target printing apparatus is less than thepredetermined distance, the procedure proceeds to step S1511, in whichthe CPU 101 issues a print instruction for executing printing accordingto the held print data to the server PC 300, and then ends thisprocessing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe server PC control unit 310 of the server PC 300 according to thefourth embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored inthe program ROM of the ROM 303, and the processing shown in thisflowchart is realized by the CPU 301 executing the stored program.

First, in step S1601, the CPU 301 waits for the reception of print jobdata (e.g., see FIG. 7) from the host computer 400. When the print jobdata is received, the procedure proceeds to step S1602, in which the CPU301 extracts the print data 701, the mobile terminal information 702,and the printing apparatus identification information 703 from the printjob data, and stores these information pieces in the RAM 302. Next, theprocedure proceeds to step S1603, in which the CPU 301 transmits, to themobile terminal 100 that corresponds to the held mobile terminalinformation 702, a print execution notification and identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus to be used forprinting. At this time, the value (“ON” or “OFF”) of the auto print uponapproach function, which was set in the printing apparatus 200, isacquired. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1604, in which the CPU301 waits for the reception of a secure printing setting value (ON/OFF)from the mobile terminal 100. When this setting value is received, theprocedure proceeds to step S1605, in which the CPU 301 waits for thereception of a print instruction from the mobile terminal 100 thatcorresponds to the mobile terminal information 702 stored in the RAM302. When the CPU 301 receives the print instruction from the mobileterminal 100 in step S1605, the procedure proceeds to step S1606, inwhich the CPU 301 checks the secure printing setting value, and the“auto print upon approach function” setting value. If the secureprinting setting is “ON”, and the “auto print upon approach function”setting is “OFF”, that is to say, in the case of performing secureprinting upon a password being inputted using the operation panel 221 ofthe printing apparatus 200, the procedure proceeds to step S1607. Instep S1607, the CPU 301 sends a notification of secure printing in whichprinting is to be executed upon the user using the operation panel 221of the target printing apparatus 200 to perform user authentication. Theprocedure then proceeds to step S1608, in which the CPU 301 waits forthe reception of a print data transmission instruction from the printingapparatus 200. When a print data transmission instruction is receivedfrom the target printing apparatus 200 in step S1608, the procedureproceeds to step S1609, in which the print data held in the server PC300 is transmitted to the target printing apparatus.

However, if in step S1606 the CPU 301 makes a determination other thanthat the secure printing setting is “ON” and the “auto print uponapproach function” setting is “OFF”, the procedure proceeds to stepS1609. In step S1609, the CPU 301 transmits the held print data to thetarget printing apparatus without waiting for a print data transmissioninstruction from the target printing apparatus, and then ends thisprocessing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe printer control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200 according tothe fourth embodiment. A program for executing this processing is storedin the program ROM of the ROM 203, and the processing shown in thisflowchart is realized by the CPU 201 executing the stored program.

First in step S1701, the CPU 201 waits for the reception of print datafrom the server PC 300, and when the print data is received, theprocedure proceeds to step S1706, in which the CPU 201 executes printingaccording to the received print data, and then ends this processing.

However, if the CPU 201 does not receive print data in step S1701, theprocedure proceeds to step S1702, in which the CPU 201 determineswhether or not an instruction has been received for the execution ofsecure printing upon the input of a password using the operation panel221. If print data is not received in step S1701, and then aninstruction for secure printing upon the input of a password using theoperation panel 221 is received, the procedure proceeds to step S1703,in which the CPU 201 waits for the user to input a password by operatingthe operation panel 221. When a password is input, the procedureproceeds to step S1704, in which it is determined whether or not thecorrect password was input. Here, if the correct password was input,that is to say, if user authentication was successful, the procedureproceeds to step S1705, in which the CPU 201 issues a print datatransmission request to the server PC 300. The procedure then proceedsto step S1701 again, and the CPU 201 waits for the reception of printdata from the server PC 300. However, if the CPU 201 determines in stepS1704 that the input password is not correct, that is to say, if userauthentication failed, the procedure proceeds to step S1703, in whichthe CPU 201 again waits for the input of a password by the user.

Here, the printing apparatus 200 has received a secure printinginstruction in step S1607 of FIG. 16, and therefore the procedureproceeds to step S1702, and when the user has been authenticated via theoperation panel 221, the CPU 201 issues a print instruction to theserver PC 300 in step S1705. Accordingly, the server PC 300 receives theprint instruction in step S1608 in FIG. 16, and transmits the print datato the printing apparatus 200 in step S1609. Accordingly, the printingapparatus 200 receives the print data in step S1701 in FIG. 17, andperforms printing in step S1706.

The fourth embodiment described above is also applicable to the casewhen print job data is directly transmitted from the host computer 400to the printing apparatus 200 as in the second embodiment. This casewill be described below as a variation of the fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are flowcharts for describing a procedure of controlprocessing performed by the mobile control unit 120 of the mobileterminal 100 according to this variation of the fourth embodiment. Aprogram for executing this processing is stored in the program ROM ofthe ROM 103, and the processing shown in this flowchart is realized bythe CPU 101 executing the stored program.

First, in step S1801, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a printnotification from the host computer 400 or the printing apparatus 200.Specifically, the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a notificationindicating that the execution of printing was instructed, andidentification information regarding the target printing apparatus 200that is to execute printing. When this data is received, the procedureproceeds to step S1802, in which the CPU 101 stores the receivedidentification information regarding the target printing apparatus inthe RAM 102. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1803, in which theCPU 101 acquires the secure printing setting value that was set via theprint mode setting screen in FIG. 10A, and transmits the setting to theprinting apparatus 200. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1804, inwhich the CPU 101 checks the secure printing setting value that wasacquired in step S1803, and if “OFF” has been set for secure printing,the CPU 101 ends the processing without performing anything.

However, if it is determined in step S1804 that “ON” has been set forsecure printing, the procedure proceeds to step S1805. In step S1805,the CPU 101 acquires the secure printing execution method (“auto printupon approach function” is ON or OFF) that was set using the settingscreen on the printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 10B, from theprinting apparatus 200. The procedure then proceeds to step S1806, inwhich the CPU 101 determines whether the “auto print upon approachfunction” setting is “OFF”, that is to say, whether printing is to beexecuted upon the user inputting their password using the operationpanel 221 of the printing apparatus 200. If this setting is “OFF”, theCPU 101 ends this processing without performing anything.

However, if it is determined in step S1806 that the “auto print uponapproach function” has been set to “ON”, the procedure proceeds to stepS1807, in which the CPU 101 waits for the reception of a BLE advertisepacket. When the CPU 101 receives a BLE advertise packet in step S1807,the procedure proceeds to step S1808, in which the CPU 101 determineswhether or not the received BLE advertise packet includes identificationinformation regarding the target printing apparatus. In other words, itis determined whether or not the BLE advertise packet was transmittedfrom the target printing apparatus 200. If the CPU 101 determines instep S1808 that the received BLE advertise packet was transmitted fromthe target printing apparatus 200, the procedure proceeds to step S1809.In step S1809, the CPU 101 obtains the distance to the target printingapparatus based on the output field intensity value included in theadvertise packet. Next, the procedure proceeds to step S1810, in whichthe CPU 101 determines whether or not the distance to the targetprinting apparatus is shorter than the predetermined distance, that isto say, whether or not the user holding the mobile terminal 100 hasmoved to a position closer than the predetermined distance to the targetprinting apparatus. If it is determined that the distance to the targetprinting apparatus is greater than or equal to the predetermineddistance, the procedure returns to the step S1807, and the CPU 101 againwaits for the reception of a BLE advertise packet. However, if it isdetermined that the distance between the user and the target printingapparatus is less than the predetermined distance, the procedureproceeds to step S1811, in which the CPU 101 issues a print instructionfor executing printing using the held print data to the target printingapparatus 200, and then ends this processing.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing a control procedure performed bythe printer control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200 according tothis variation of the fourth embodiment. A program for executing thisprocessing is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 203, and theprocessing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 executingthe stored program.

First, in step S1901, the CPU 201 waits for the reception of print jobdata from the host computer 400, and when print job data is received,the procedure proceeds to step S1902, in which the CPU 201 stores thereceived print job data in the RAM 202. Next, the procedure proceeds tostep S1903, in which the CPU 201 transmits identification informationregarding itself (the printing apparatus 200) to the mobile terminal 100that corresponds to the mobile terminal information 702 included in theprint job data. The procedure then proceeds to step S1904, in which theCPU 201 waits for the reception of the secure printing setting that wasmade using the mobile terminal 100 from the mobile terminal 100, anddetermines in step S1905 whether or not the setting is “ON”. If thesecure printing setting is “ON”, the procedure proceeds to step S1906,and otherwise the procedure proceeds to step S1910, in which printing isexecuted in accordance with the print data that was stored in stepS1902.

However, if the secure printing setting is “ON” in step S1905, theprocedure proceeds to step S1906, in which the CPU 201 determineswhether or not the auto print upon approach function has been set to“ON”. If the auto print upon approach function has been set to “ON”, theprocedure proceeds to step S1907, in which the CPU 201 waits for thereception of a print instruction from the mobile terminal 100, and thenwhen the print instruction is received, the procedure proceeds to stepS1910, in which the CPU 201 executes printing, and then ends thisprocessing.

However, if the CPU 201 determines in step S1906 that the auto printupon approach function has been set to “OFF”, the procedure proceeds tostep S1908, in which the CPU 201 waits for a user ID and password to beinput using the operation panel 221, and then the procedure proceeds tostep S1909. In this way, if user authentication is successful in stepS1909, the procedure proceeds to step S1910, in which printing isexecuted according to the print data that was stored in step S1902.

In this way, according to the fourth embodiment, printing can berealized in both the case where the printing apparatus 200 receivesprint data from the server PC 300, and the case where it receives printdata directly from the host computer 400.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the execution ofsecure printing can be set to “ON/OFF” in a setting screen on the mobileterminal 100, and the “auto print upon approach function” can be set to“ON/OFF” in a setting screen on the printing apparatus 200. According tothese settings, the user can freely select whether to immediatelyperform printing, automatically perform printing upon the userapproaching the printing apparatus, perform printing after the user hasbeen authenticated by the printing apparatus, or the like.

Various modifications and variations of the above embodiments can becarried out within the scope of the present invention.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2015-029823, filed Feb. 18, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A printing system including a mobile terminal and aprinting apparatus that stores print data, the printing systemcomprising: (A) at least one processor; and (B) at least one memoryhaving instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at leastone processor, cause the printing system: (a) to determine whether ornot the mobile terminal and the printing apparatus are in a closer stateto each other than a predetermined distance, based on field intensity ofa packet, wherein the packet is a near field wireless communicationpacket; (b) to set on whether to perform printing triggered by thecloser state, based on a user operation, wherein the setting is able tobe set in advance as an operation setting regarding printing; (c) tocontrol the mobile terminal to transmit information to the printingapparatus, if conditions including (i) it is set that printing isperformed triggered by the closer state and (ii) it is determined thatthe mobile terminal and the printing apparatus are in the closer state,are met; (d) to control the mobile terminal to not transmit informationto the printing apparatus, even if it is determined that the mobileterminal and the printing apparatus are in the closer state, if it isset that printing is not performed triggered by the closer state; and(e) to control the printing apparatus to perform printing based on theprint data stored in the printing apparatus in a case when the printingapparatus receives the transmitted information.
 26. The system accordingto claim 25, wherein the instructions further cause the printing systemto specify print data to be performed among print data stored in theprinting apparatus, based on the transmitted information.
 27. The systemaccording to claim 25, wherein the at least one processor includes atleast a processor of the mobile terminal and a processor of the printingapparatus.
 28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the packet is aBluetooth Low energy advertise packet.
 29. The system according to claim25, wherein the instructions further cause the printing system tocontrol the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the printdata stored in the printing apparatus according to accepting of apredetermined user operation via an operation unit of the printingapparatus.
 30. A method of controlling a printing system that includes amobile terminal and a printing apparatus that stores print data, themethod comprising: determining whether or not the mobile terminal andthe printing apparatus are in a closer state to each other than apredetermined distance, based on field intensity of a packet, whereinthe packet is a near field wireless communication packet; setting onwhether to perform printing triggered by the closer state, based on auser operation, wherein the setting is able to be set in advance as anoperation setting regarding printing; controlling the mobile terminal totransmit information to the printing apparatus, if conditions including(a) it is set that printing is performed triggered by the closer stateand (b) it is determined that the mobile terminal and the printingapparatus are in the closer state, are met; controlling the mobileterminal to not transmit information to the printing apparatus even ifit is determined that the mobile terminal and the printing apparatus arein the closer state, if it is set that printing is not performedtriggered by the closer state; and controlling the printing apparatus toperform printing based on the print data stored in the printingapparatus in a case when the printing apparatus receives the transmittedinformation.
 31. The method according to claim 30, further comprisingspecifying print data to be performed among print data stored in theprinting apparatus, based on the transmitted information.
 32. The methodaccording to claim 30, wherein the mobile terminal includes at least oneprocessor and the printing apparatus includes at least one processor.33. The method according to claim 30, wherein the packet is a BluetoothLow energy advertise packet.
 34. The method according to claim 30,further comprising controlling the printing apparatus to performprinting based on the print data stored in the printing apparatusaccording to accepting of a predetermined user operation via anoperation unit of the printing apparatus.